Paul Howes and Olivia Wirth hold wedding near Byron Bay

Australia's business and political elite have gathered near Byron Bay for the wedding of outgoing Australian Workers Union boss Paul Howes and Qantas corporate executive Olivia Wirth.

The A-list of wedding guests included Wirth's Qantas boss, Alan Joyce, as well a host of names from Labor including former prime minister Julia Gillard, former treasurer Wayne Swan and current Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

The wedding venue was reportedly Deux Belettes, 35 minutes' drive south of Byron Bay. It is described as a "16th century-style French chateau" and states on its website: "Some of our guests have included a special function, anniversary, engagement or elopement wedding."